u/nottomat - originally from r/GenZhou
“What about in Hong Kong where they made it so that the leaders are no longer publicly elected? What about Tiannenmen Square were hundreds of people were killed for protesting the Dengist regime? What about how China’s internet is blocked by a firewall meaning you cannot search for various things the government doesn’t want you to search for? What about how journalists punish foreign journalists by removing their press credentials when they say something critical of the government’s policies? What about when in 2019 the All China Journalists Association updated its code of ethics saying that they have to take an exam proving that they are guided by Xi Jinping thought”

How would you counter these statements?

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    3 years ago

    u/Butt_Stuff_Pirate - originally from r/GenZhou

    1. Does the US’s system of public elections translate to benefits for working class people? Does a system where a political outsider with enough money can rally mass support and win make the US more “free”? Should politicians with connects to foreign powers be allowed to run for office?
    2. Tiannenmen Square was a tragedy, but to paint the rebels in the square who murdered soldiers as peaceful “pro-democracy” protestors is a farce. Also how many US activists have died mysteriously, how many killed out right during protests, what about the bombing of the black nationalist movement in Philadelphia? The US points a finger at Tiannenment Square but has 3 pointed back at itself. Also is there any country that would allow a secession movement to proliferate?
    3. VPNs are legal in China and anyone can buy one for cheap if they wanna get access to porn or whatever. The firewall just creates a safe space for the average public, it doesn’t actually restrict anyone who wants to get around it.
    4. Why should foreign journalists have the right to criticize a government. Should the US let CGTN attend White House press conferences and bash our policies?

    I think a definition of what is meant by “free” is important too, in the US we are free to say what ever we want, unless it is actually threatening to power. Do our “freedoms” actually translate to living better and more fulfilling lives?

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      3 years ago

      u/PatOnReddit - originally from r/GenZhou
      The last point that u/butt_stuff_pirate made is an excellent one. You can say what you want but the moment it threatens the power, you’re silenced or killed. Look at any vaguely socialist movement in the 1900s across the US. MLK, killed. Malcolm X, killed. Fred Hampton, killed. Assasta Shakur, political asylum in Cuba. There are so so so many examples of this to name. These are just the most popular example.

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        3 years ago

        u/Milbso - originally from r/GenZhou
        You don’t even have to be in the US. If a socialist gets enough attention anywhere in the world the US will probably have a few plans to get rid of them.

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          3 years ago

          u/PatOnReddit - originally from r/GenZhou
          If not the US, the French or UK would do it.

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      3 years ago

      u/33rdJanuary - originally from r/GenZhou

      Should the US let CGTN attend White House press conferences and bash our policies?

      Well, imo yeah